Chapter 64: A New Trait

Two days had passed since the conclusion of the Blood Phantom Annihilation Operation.

On the side of the Special Task Force, there were no soldiers who had been seriously injured.

In contrast, the villains had been literally annihilated.

They had been subdued or killed without a single one left behind.

Moreover, they had achieved the feat of subduing even villains who were on the wanted list but unrelated to Blood Phantom.

And that wasn't all.

All the rescued hunters had no life-threatening injuries.

It was a result achieved through the hard work of all the soldiers.

However, one name in particular was often mentioned within the Special Task Force, and that was Kim Hyeon-jun.

"A mercenary uncle took down a Level 6 villain alone? And one using demonic energy? Is that even possible?"

"I acted like it was nothing at the time, but my vision went white. Damn it. Who knew a villain using demonic energy would pop out?"

"Me too. Even Sergeant Son Geun-woo told us to retreat, but that uncle actually charged at the guy instead."

It was because a soldier belonging to the regular Hunter Army, not even part of the Special Task Force, had performed a dazzling feat.

Not content with subduing Yang Buk-cheon single-handedly, he even went on to kill the leader-class villain alongside Second Lieutenant Park A-young.

"Our platoon leader was completely exhausted at that time. That just shows how strong that villain bastard was."

"I wondered what they were doing drawing hunters' blood, and it turns out they were summoning a humanoid summon."

"Those disgusting swarms of rats back then were probably that villain's doing too. Disgusting bastard."

Looking back, it wasn't an operation of a scale that a mere soldier could have handled.

The role given to Kim Hyeon-jun, who came as a mercenary, wasn't to that extent either.

Yet, Kim Hyeon-jun had imprinted a presence far beyond that of a mere soldier, more like an officer or higher, onto the villains.

"I heard they're having a commendation ceremony today."

"Really? That uncle should definitely receive one."

"It was an operation several times more dangerous and difficult than anticipated."

The soldiers of the Special Task Force now fully acknowledged Kim Hyeon-jun.

It was true that when he first arrived, the atmosphere had been less than welcoming.

While the soldiers of the 4th Platoon, 4th Company had an accepting atmosphere, the rest did not.

A regular Hunter Army soldier coming to the Special Task Force in a permanent support role?

It was inevitable that talk of him using connections would arise.

But now, there were no soldiers who thought that way.

Sergeant Kim Hyeon-jun.

Thanks to him stepping forward proactively, they could say that not a single person was seriously injured.

---

'I thought I'd return to my unit right away.'

A few hours later.

Kim Hyeon-jun was standing in front of the Special Task Force's parade ground, specifically on the podium.

It was in preparation for the upcoming commendation ceremony, for which they needed to practice formal drills.

After the operation ended, Kim Hyeon-jun had stayed here instead of returning to the Biryong Unit.

Since he had faced the main villains alone, various investigations were deemed necessary.

'Well. I was the only one who dealt with both Yang Buk-cheon and Gwang Pil-gyu.'

Because of this, several investigators had been sticking around even during his combat leave.

He wondered what there was so much to investigate.

It made him think that dealing with villains really wasn't an easy job.

'Looking back, I did push myself quite a bit... but this much is fine.'

Perhaps due to the aftermath of the battle a few days ago, pain still lingered in his arms and shoulders. According to the military doctor here, it was just muscle shock and he shouldn't worry.

Well.

The summon that Gwang Pil-gyu summoned was certainly tough to handle.

'Hmm. Should I have asked before killing him?'

He was curious about the level of the humanoid summon made from blood. It was a thought that came to him afterward.

"Sergeant Kim Hyeon-jun. Please try to focus a bit more."

A moment later.

The voice that reached his ear shattered Kim Hyeon-jun's wandering thoughts.

"Sergeant Kim Hyeon-jun. Understood."

Turning his gaze, he saw Second Lieutenant Park A-young standing beside him.

There were two recipients for the commendation this time.

It was because they had achieved great results in the annihilation of Blood Phantom.

'Even this, she does with precision.'

Second Lieutenant Park A-young never did anything carelessly.

Every minor movement, even the uniform, she maintained without a single flaw.

Well.

With that mindset and strength, she must have been promoted from second lieutenant. He focused again and they synchronized their movements.

Shortly after, soldiers began to gather one by one in front of the Special Task Force parade ground.

"Sergeant Kim Hyeon-jun. Your uniform is disheveled. Look over here for a moment."

In the meantime, Second Lieutenant Park A-young personally adjusted Kim Hyeon-jun's uniform.

"Sergeant Kim Hyeon-jun. Thank you."

To Kim Hyeon-jun, it didn't seem to make much difference, but given the occasion, it was good to be mindful.

"Unit, attention!"

"Salute to the Battalion Commander!"

"Loyalty! Devotion!"

With the battalion commander's entrance, the commendation ceremony officially began.

The commander of the 4th Battalion of the Special Task Force presided over the ceremony; he was a middle-aged man with a benevolent appearance.

Of course, that was just his appearance.

It was said he possessed combat power strong enough to easily subdue even a Level 8 villain.

'The world is wide, and there are many strong people.'

He must not become complacent and must keep striving. It was a thought Kim Hyeon-jun had anew.

"You always work hard, sacrificing for the nation."

Starting with the battalion commander's brief address, the commendation certificates were presented to the two. Followed by handshakes.

"Sergeant! Kim Hyeon-jun! Thank you!"

"Second Lieutenant! Park A-young! Thank you!"

Photographers with cameras busily moved about, capturing the moment.

The battalion commander smiled benevolently and was about to step down from the podium when, as if suddenly remembering something to say, he opened his mouth.

Looking at Kim Hyeon-jun.

"Sergeant Kim Hyeon-jun. If you ever want to come to our unit, just say the word anytime. I'll welcome you personally."

"!"

"Whoa…"

At those words, even the soldiers lined up and Second Lieutenant Park A-young beside him were surprised.

And for good reason.

The battalion commander rarely made such offers to soldiers.

Although Kim Hyeon-jun himself didn't seem particularly moved, it was indeed a big deal.

'For now, my current status is sufficient enough.'

Whether it was a polite remark or sincere.

Kim Hyeon-jun had no intention of transferring units.

At least not currently.

Just think of how many benefits the battalion commander of the Biryong Unit had provided him.

He gave him a unique item and even gave a firm promise to recommend him for second lieutenant. Kim Hyeon-jun had answered that he would live up to that.

In such a situation, jumping ship to another unit... his conscience wouldn't allow it.

'To utilize the list of 'honey pots' from before the regression even a little, it's right to stay in my current unit.'

The commendation ceremony was over, it was time to prepare to return to his unit.

As he was about to go pack his things, Second Lieutenant Park A-young spoke to him from the side.

"Sergeant Kim Hyeon-jun. What the battalion commander said just now was sincere. And…."

After briefly closing her mouth, she uttered unexpected words.

"This operation was completed thanks to you. If I were alone, I would have let him get away. Thank you."

She had directly expressed her gratitude.

She didn't seem like someone who would say such things, so it was unexpected.

"If it's now, I think we could offer much more preferential treatment. Do you have any thoughts?"

"Sergeant Kim Hyeon-jun. I apologize."

"...I see."

An answer that came without hesitation.

She nodded silently.

Then she took out a small piece of paper.

It was a paper with a contact number written on it.

"If you ever need help or have concerns, contact me anytime."

She even added that it was a personal number, not a work one, so he shouldn't feel burdened.

"Sergeant Kim Hyeon-jun. Thank you."

To Kim Hyeon-jun, that statement was actually more burdensome.

"Then, I'll be in your care then. Loyalty."

"Loyalty."

Still, he didn't show it.

After receiving the contact information, he headed to the barracks.

Second Lieutenant Park A-young watched his retreating figure for a while.

---

Kim Hyeon-jun returned to the Biryong Unit in a LETONA that came to pick him up.

'My original unit is definitely much better.'

It felt like he had only been away for a few days, yet he already missed the Biryong Unit. It seemed nostalgia was a real thing.

Even the well-equipped Special Task Force lost its novelty after living there for a few days.

Of course, he really liked the night vision goggles he wore during this operation.

He thought it would be handy to have one, to the point where he considered acquiring one.

Unfortunately, they were Special Task Force exclusive equipment and couldn't be used except during operations.

Passing the guard post and entering the unit, 3rd Platoon Leader Second Lieutenant Kim Dong-woo was there to greet him.

"Loyalty! Sergeant Kim Hyeon-jun! I have returned after completing the Special Task Force support mission."

"Loyalty. You worked hard."

Having already heard the report, Second Lieutenant Kim Dong-woo wore an expression of pride.

"How do you achieve results with everything you do? You admirable rascal."

He patted Kim Hyeon-jun on the back, saying it was a talent to surprise people every time he saw him.

"I had a feeling you were unusual from the time you caught a villain or two, but now you've wiped out an entire organization. Didn't you choose the wrong military unit to transfer to?"

"Haha. I prefer the Biryong Unit."

"You brat. Anyway, I heard your body isn't fully recovered yet. Go in and rest well, and if you have any problems, be sure to visit the military doctor. Got it?"

"Yes."

After a brief conversation with the platoon leader, Kim Hyeon-jun headed to the barracks.

'Now I'll have some breathing room.'

The truth was, Kim Hyeon-jun had been itching for a while, no, for a few days now.

[Emergency Mission has been completed!]

It was because he wanted to check the reward for the emergency mission he completed by eliminating Gwang Pil-gyu, the leader of Blood Phantom.

How bothersome it had been with officers and soldiers sticking around him all this time.

The operation scale was larger than expected, so there was quite a lot to report on afterward.

Even though he was just a mercenary sent as support.

'I should unpack a bit and then go to the personal training room.'

As he opened the barracks door,

"Loyalty! Sergeant Kim Hyeon-jun! You've returned!"

"Is your body okay?"

"I heard you annihilated a villain organization, what happened?"

His squad members, who seemed to have been waiting, sprang to their feet.

Each of their eyes seemed to sparkle brightly.

Their faces looked full of curiosity.

They seemed ready to pounce on him any second.

'...I should just go right now.'

---

Kim Hyeon-jun roughly threw his duffel bag onto the bed and headed to the personal training room.

It was obvious he would be pestered by his squad members.

"Phew. Now I can finally breathe."

After warming up a bit, he settled down in a spot.

Gulp.

Swallowing dryly, he opened the notification window sent by the Hidden Trait.

Gwang Pil-gyu was the strongest among the villains he had faced so far.

Since he completed an emergency mission by eliminating such a guy, he might give a decent reward.

[Emergency Mission has been cleared.]

[A moderate amount of experience has been acquired.]

[Trait, Fighting Spirit, has been acquired.]

"I could tell experience came in from defeating villains... but Fighting Spirit, you say?"

Kim Hyeon-jun's eyes widened.

Trait, Fighting Spirit.

If it was the Fighting Spirit trait he was thinking of…….

It was a good trait belonging to at least A-grade.

[Fighting Spirit]

Power that accumulates the longer combat with a target continues.

Fighting Spirit can be quantified and stored.

By expending all stored Fighting Spirit, one can gain powerful strength for a certain duration.

Has a cooldown upon use.

The strength gained increases in proportion to the amount of Fighting Spirit expended.

"...Crazy. It really is that Fighting Spirit."

Fighting Spirit, a trait possessed by a few among the top-ranked hunters.

He had obtained it as an emergency mission reward.

There is no known information about the acquisition route for Fighting Spirit.

There are only vague rumors that only those born strong can obtain it.

Even Kim Hyeon-jun, who had regressed, couldn't know information about Fighting Spirit.

"There are a few in our country though…."

The hunters who possess the Fighting Spirit trait are those whose names would be recognizable.

And without exception, they are all strong individuals.

Ding.

Kim Hyeon-jun couldn't believe his eyes, so he even opened his status window separately to check.

Traits: Intermediate Spearmanship, Raising a Spearman (Hidden), Acrobatic, Fighting Spirit.

Fighting Spirit was firmly seated in the Traits window.

"There's one thing I know for sure."

He knew that Fighting Spirit had no recoil on the body.

An enhancement button without side effects.

That was the reason Fighting Spirit was classified as an A-grade trait.

"There are gains commensurate with the hardship."

A smile naturally formed on his face.

What he gained wasn't just the trait.

He also gained experience from eliminating villains.

Killing villains wasn't a good experience, but the incoming experience was good for his body.

He had just reached Level 5 not long ago, and the experience bar was already about half full.

And that wasn't all.

Hadn't he also leaped over a few steps on the staircase leading to his secondary goal of becoming a second lieutenant?

"I should test the trait right away."

Kim Hyeon-jun swallowed his anticipation and brought over a training weapon.